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In our last multi-test of integrated amplifiers, the previous version of the 250i came across as rather well behaved and we didn’t immediately know what to do with it. With this new version, things are completely different. The MOON 250i v2 sounds fresh and fruity from the first second. (Thanks, by the way, to More Music for burning in this unit).
The MOON 250i v2 is immediately at ease in our system and unimpressed by its more expensive surroundings. The MOON 250i v2 plays excellent with the Revels. More than excellent, in fact. As long as we don’t push the volume toward hearing damage, we notice a particularly fine balance across the board and hear no distortion. Great how the Revels sound different each time on different amps. They are real chameleons.
The MOON 250i v2 is a clean sounding amplifier but don’t be thrown off by that. This doesn’t mean analytical or cold but more sparkling, fresh and pure like a mountain stream on a summer afternoon. Or something along those lines. There is a lot of punch in the mids and plenty of body in the bass. The treble is clear without getting sharp and a ridiculous amount of detail comes through.
The MOON 250i v2 stays in the system for the entire test period because we never feel the urge to connect anything else. Not even our own MOON 600i v2. We can’t think of a better compliment.
If it’s predecessor sounded a bit well behaved and tame, this new version is anything but. It’s an energetic, lively, nimble amplifier that requires good company and, above all, a decent speaker that shows off its talents to the fullest. When we really turn up the volume, toward 90db and above, the 250i v2 comes up a little short of breath and you can hear some distortion. But then we are talking about high volumes where your hearing is likely to be damaged. And we have a pretty large listening room so all is well.Â
Listen
We listened to a lot of music during the stay of the MOON 250i v2 and that is again a big compliment. That includes Andy Shauf, a personal favorite of this author. His albums are often recorded somewhat hard and closed-miked so his music can come across as rather harsh on some amplifiers. Despite the rather fresh, detail-rich signature of the MOON 250i v2, we don’t notice this sharpness. The treble is not rounded off, surprisingly, but comes through flawlessly, giving you no hard edges. A litmus test for many amplifiers and immediately audible through the beryllium tweeter. We listen to the entire “Wilds” album with ease and without getting a headache. This can be the case with lesser amplifiers!
Kacey Musgraves is a heroine as well and her album “Golden Hour” is a timeless masterpiece. And well recorded, too. Here we notice the high fun factor of this amp combined with an exceptional midrange. Female vocals sound believable and fragile through the MOON 250i v2. Particularly impressive is how Simaudio has found that balance in this price range. The improved outputstage is certainly debet to that. Again, the entire album passes without complaints. Indeed, the intelligibility and detailing is above average and adds to the listening pleasure. Enjoyment with a big E!
New music, from Berenice van Leer. Her album “From Silence” is an ideal recording to listen to late at night at a somewhat softer volume and this MOON 250i v2 is perfect for that. There is a lot of “meat and ‘chest'” mixed in, so to speak. A piano gets plenty of weight, as on the song “Speak your Heart”. That generous bass, by the way, is a characteristic of all MOON amps. There is a lot of reverb and the nuance of her voice comes through beautifully. Around 2 min 55 sec the song opens full of glow and we notice a nice spread of instruments in the stereo image. Music comes off the speakers nicely and is placed behind speakers like it should. There is width and depth with rather limited height.
We also listened to Jayda G, Madeleine Kinney, Fenne Lily, Cass McCombs, Graham Nash, Georgia, Hania Rani and the Nabou Claerhout Trombone Ensemble.
Hey Geoffrey, excellent and informative review. Thanks for the hard work. This Moon is now on my radar screen, largely thanks to Martijn’s stellar advice. Can you tell me which Revels those are: 106 or 126be? Gracias
Alan
Hello Wijnand,
Thank you. This amp will not drive all speakers with ease like the 600i will. Off course that’s not a big downside but just one you have to keep in mind.
Best regards
Geoffrey
Hello Geoffrey,
That’s clear of course! I just like it when manufacturers focus on what is important. This means the parts that are used probably have a better value now than when the amp for example was 180 watt and everything would be bigger. 50 watts seems more than enough to me, especially for the loudspeakers that normally will be used in this price range. I see it as a pro 🙂
Best regards,
Wijnand
Very nice amp and review! I really like Moon products for their looks, build quality, sound and 10 year guarantee. Especially the products without a display. Because even really expensive equipment sounds best when the display is switched off. Interestingly the 250i v2 sounds more open than the 600i v2. More expensive equipment closer to the edge are probably more demanding and sensitive to cabling, loudspeaker choise etc.
I don’t understand the limited power (at the cons) when the sound quality is 100% it must be stable than.